Pennsylvania's Nutrient Management Act requires producers with over how many animal units per acre to submit a nutrient management plan?

Pennsylvania's Nutrient Management Act mandates that producers who have over two animal units per acre must submit a nutrient management plan. This regulation is designed to ensure that livestock operations manage their nutrients in a way that minimizes environmental impacts. The nutrient management plan helps producers apply the right amount of fertilizers and manage animal waste to protect water quality and preserve the ecosystem. The threshold of two animal units serves as a critical benchmark for determining which operations are required to develop these plans, reinforcing sustainable agricultural practices and preventing nutrient runoff that can lead to contamination of water bodies.